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Politics of Rotation: Yar’Adua Vs Jonathan Debacle
No country can equal Nigeria as far as politics is concerned. As paradoxical as this might sound, it is so true that we have made landmark achievements by way of bizarre actions and in other political-show of shame and impunity. So what are we equating with what? We have a whole lot, that no nation can match, when it comes to Nigerian politics.
Indeed right from the first republic, the Nigerian politics has witnessed interesting turbulent moments. The key actors/leaders in the past have taken actions that have put the entire nation in a shambles, all in the name of national interest Yet, no lesson to learn, instead we keep busying ourselves with talks and writings that do not change the rot.
Interestingly, the powerful tacticians and power-brokers have understood the mindset of the voiceless, inactive or passive political advocates, who know how to shout without talking actions to redress the inequities in the country. This set knows that majority of Nigerians are cowards or the proverbial barking dogs that never bites. With the deeply entrenched fear among the Nigerian electorates, these opportunists and power-brokers have always had a field day. The height of impunity with which they demonstrate their high-handedness and tyrannical leadership style keeps one wondering . Little wonder, they apply the rotational political style without considering the interest or concern of the Nigerian masses.
Which country on earth can match this tall political credential of our beloved Nigeria? Well, the answer lies in politics of rotation. It is a pity that these political actors/opportunists/power – brokers have succeeded in rotating Nigeria and Nigerians like a spinning cone, without any hope of falling either with the head or tail. They’ve rotated Nigeria for more than forty years without realizing that a forward step-by-step movement is better than the one-spot, retrogressive circumnavigation/circumlocution. To them, progress doesn’t matter, what is paramount is rotation and their entrenched of treasury looting and reckless mismanagement of our commonwealth.
Why is it that, our dear President’s ill-health and the vacuum so created in Aso Rock, has become a matter of PDP leadership decision, rather than a recourse to the constitution? Why is that Nigerians have become so docile, passive and powerless that just a handful of some selfish, greedy and heartless opportunists or politicians could mortgage our future and toil with it, when we all know that our liberation lies in our very hands?
One thing these actors must know, is that many Nigerians are no longer in the dark days of ignorance, many thanks to Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, whose political activism has brought some ill-intent but positive changes. Thank God, for the Nigerian constitution which has been made available to everyone who cares about acquiring a copy. But it is important that our lawyers assist to educate Nigerians on the content/text of the Nigerian Constitution, so that we would know how to demand for our rights.
Many Nigerians are in desperate need of constitutional and political enlightenment and sensitization to be able to jumpstart the liberation struggle, otherwise, these political opportunists and power-brokers would lead us to lamentable, but avoidable perdition.
Our fears have become their strength and inspiration and their insensitivity to the plight of the ordinary Nigerian has become a norm and a positive value.
It’s foolhardy to rejoice at President Yar’Adua ailing health, after all, none of us can predict or dictate what happens to us the next minute. Nigerians, honestly don’t need this one sided and sentimental style of politics called “politics of rotation”. If PDP doesn’t know, at least those of its members that have conscience and a good sense of judgment should have known the truth.
If for no other reason, at least for the mere fact that, for over forty years, rotational politics has taken us nowhere. It really doesn’t matter, who rules Nigeria, whether a Northerner or Southerner, what should matter is good governance and not political propaganda and sycophancy. Those who have succeeded in rotating themselves in government for over forty years, should have been wise enough to realize that, even though there’s no revolution, what they’ve amassed for those endless and hopeless reign, can take care of their third generation.
Rather than wait, for the wind of change to disgrace them out of office, it is better for them to bury their faces in shame and quit the political scene quietly. The wrath of God is fast coming and when it gets there, the actors will no longer have a hiding place and their cohorts/sycophants will abandon them to their fates.
We all know that, in every bit of rumour, fact elements abound. Again, many Nigerians know the position of the lapses ridden constitution, so the noises coming from the PDP circles and the remorseless cabals about Vice President – Goodluck Jonathan being compelled to resign, and of course, the declaration of 9-day prayer! AsoRock not being vacant, sinks clearly in the ears and minds of Nigerians.
But there’s a limit to everything.
Those who mean well for Nigeria, should quit talking and confront these cabals, who tell lies even on oath, who have toiled with our future for countless years. They should be told about empathy, and the fact that nothing last forever except change and that God is watching everyone of us. Thus, the fear of God, will herald the wisdom that will save them from the wrath or sledge hammer hanging in the air. Rather than campaign or lobby for who occupies the seat in AsoRock, we should rather pray for Mr. President because, whatever happens to him will affect every Nigerian.
Indeed a situation where Nigerians don’t have a say in the determination of the affairs of the state by true representation, spell danger for our unity and development. The choice of liberating Nigeria from evil men is a collective and compulsory task. If we can’t take the initiative by telling our parents, uncles, friends, associates, party members and “representatives” the gospel truth, then we had better quit complaining and shouting and do the politics of rotation instead.
Icha us a guest to the Edior
Clement Icha
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has cautioned parents to closely monitor their children’s craving for cookies and gummies, warning that some of the products may contain illicit substances being smuggled into the country.
In a statement posted yesterday, NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, said recent seizures by the agency’s officers had revealed attempts by criminal elements to introduce prohibited substances under the guise of everyday snacks.
“As parents, if your kids and young ones always crave for cookies and gummies, you may have to pay a little more attention. There may be more to it than ordinary cookies and gummies,” Babafemi wrote, sharing images of seized packages.
The photos showed colourful pouches of “Cookies Delta 8 Gummies” in flavours such as Hawaiian Rain Pineapple Guava and Thai Mango, labelled as vegan and hemp-derived, alongside the actual gummy products.
The warning comes amid a major interception by the Nigeria Customs Service at the Tin Can Island Port in Lagos.
Officers seized two 40-foot containers containing large quantities of cannabis-infused products concealed among legitimate imports such as used vehicles, generators, batteries and fabrics.
The consignment included thousands of Delta-8 cannabis pre-roll cookies, packs of cannabis-infused gummies and other cannabis-infused cookies, with a combined estimated street value of about ?373.8m.
The items were subsequently handed over to the NDLEA.
NDLEA officials described the products, which originated from the United States and were packaged to resemble ordinary vegan snacks with appealing flavours, as an emerging public health threat.
They noted that the attractive packaging could appeal especially to children, students and young people, raising the risk of accidental consumption of concentrated cannabis.
The Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA) has announced plans to partner with the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) to strengthen efforts at combating illegal waste dumping and improving environmental sanitation across the state.
The partnership was unveiled during a meeting between officials of RIWAMA and the leadership of the Rivers State chapter of the PCRC in Port Harcourt, recently, where both organisations pledged to work together to restore the Garden City status of the state capital.
In his speech, the Supervisor of Market and Community Sanitation in RIWAMA, Mr. Omereji Ukoha, said the collaboration was in line with the vision of the agency’s Managing Director, Dr. Ibimina Wokoma, and the Board Chairman, Dr. Samuel Nwanosike, to promote a cleaner and healthier environment.
Ukoha described the PCRC as a strategic grassroots partner capable of mobilising communities and driving behavioural change through sustained public enlightenment on proper waste disposal.
He expressed concern over the increasing rate of indiscriminate refuse dumping in parts of Port Harcourt, particularly in New GRA, where blocked drainage channels and illegal shanties have continued to contribute to flooding and environmental degradation.
According to him, the agency is determined to intensify enforcement against environmental offenders, warning that unregistered cart pushers and residents who patronise them would be prosecuted in accordance with the provisions of the RIWAMA Act, 2014.
The RIWAMA official urged residents to embrace proper waste disposal practices and patronise only government-approved waste operators in order to safeguard public health and protect the environment.
Responding, the Chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee in Rivers State, Dr. Voke Emore, commended RIWAMA for seeking collaboration with the committee in addressing environmental challenges confronting the state.
Emore said the PCRC would deploy its community-based structures across the state to support public sensitisation and encourage residents to comply with environmental sanitation regulations.
He also called on local government councils to play more active roles in waste management, noting that they collect sanitation levies and should complement the efforts of the state government in maintaining a clean environment.
The PCRC chairman described indiscriminate refuse disposal as a serious environmental and public health concern, stressing that sustained collaboration among government agencies, community leaders and residents remained critical to achieving lasting sanitation goals.
Both organisations expressed optimism that the partnership would promote cleaner communities, reduce environmental hazards and strengthen public participation in efforts to ensure a healthier and more sustainable environment for the people of Rivers State.
King Onunwor
The Rivers State Police Command has arrested five suspected members of a kidnapping syndicate allegedly terrorising communities in Oyigbo Local Government Area of the State.
The State Police Command disclosed this in a statement by its Public Relations Officer, ASP Blessing Agabe, in Port Harcourt, recently.
The suspects were arrested during a coordinated operation at Oyigbo, following directives by the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command, CP Olugbenga Adewole Adepoju.
Those arrested were Ezekiel Emmanuel, 44, from Benue State; Chukwuma Mbanefor, 51, from Anambra State; Nicholas Diala, 65, from Imo State; Ndubuisi Uwakwe, 49, from Abia State; and Ifeanyi Nwakwo, 51, from Imo State.
The Command said the arrest represented another significant operational success in its ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal networks operating in the State.
According to the Police, preliminary investigation indicated that the suspects were allegedly involved in kidnapping operations within Rivers State.
The suspects, during interrogation, allegedly confessed to their involvement in kidnapping and further admitted participating in several operations carried out in Kom-Kom, Railway, Obeama and Afam communities.
The Command said investigation was ongoing, with efforts intensified to identify and apprehend other members of the suspected syndicate who may be connected with the criminal activities.
The Police boss said the operation reflected the implementation of operational directives and the intelligence-driven policing strategy of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc, NPM.
Adepoju reaffirmed the Command’s determination to sustain aggressive intelligence-led operations against kidnapping, cultism, armed robbery and other violent crimes across Rivers State.
He warned kidnappers and other criminal elements operating in the State that there would be no safe haven for them, stressing that the Command would relentlessly pursue, arrest and ensure that those found culpable were brought to justice.
The Commissioner further assured residents of the Command’s commitment to protecting lives and property, urging members of the public to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies in the fight against crime.
He appealed to residents to provide the Police with credible and timely information capable of assisting security operatives in preventing criminal activities and apprehending suspected criminals.
The Command urged members of the public who may have useful information on the activities of the suspected kidnapping syndicate or other criminal elements to contact the Police through its emergency lines, assuring that such information would assist ongoing investigations.
King Onunwor